She will have assistance from ex-Northampton, Bedford and London Welsh lock Steve Halsey and only eight of 26-strong squad have previously played for the Under-20s.

And the RFUW’s Player Development Manager, Tom Stokes, said: “There is a lot of talent and more importantly a huge amount of potential amongst this group of players.

“We are all looking forward to working with them over an exciting and challenging training and playing programme this season.

“The selection of three U20s players from last season into the Senior England Elite Squad along with a number of former U20s players who have progressed into the Senior Squad this season, demonstrates the important function the U20s programme plays in the development of the players.

“However for this group of players, the hard work starts now. This is just another step on their journey to becoming world class players and representing the senior England squad in the future.”

The team face France on February 27th, followed by Scotland in March. They will also compete in the U20s Nations Cup next summer.

England Women Under 20s Squad
Kayleigh Callaway-Bawden (Newquay Hornets [Queen Bees]), Poppy Cleall (Bristol), Fiona Davidson (Richmond), Louise Dennis (Worcester), Lucy Demaine (University of Exeter), Fiona Fletcher (Lichfield), Mica Evans (Exeter Saracens), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Ellie Gattlin (Rochford Hundred), Sarah George (University of Exeter), Rebecca Hughes (Bristol), Natasha Jones (Lichfield), Charlotte Keane (Worcester), Emily Kingston (Gloucester), Ceri Large (Worcester), Katie Mason (Bristol), Alex Matthews (London Irish), Harriet Mills (Lichfield), Charlie Notman (Newquay Hornets [Queen Bees]), Megan Oaten (Thornbury), Amber Reed (Bristol), Rachel Roberts (Gloucester), Abbie Scott (Keswick), Emily Scott (Thurrock), Geri Thomas (Old Abanian Saints), Amy Wilson-Hardy (Hove).